Art serves many purposes, and it can be a powerful tool to begin important conversations. Both exhibiting artists opening at the Crary Art Gallery at 511 Market Street in Warren, PA on June 7, 2025 will display bodies of work that address hard topics such as gun violence, and social inequality. They will also inspire viewers to look beyond the surface to the connections of our combined human experience.
James Terrell offers a collision of shape and color in his body of work titled, A Collide of Scope. James’s study of quilt design, stained glass techniques, and Joseph Albers’ color blocking pulls together vibrant colors and a myriad of shapes to create images that explore humanity and spirituality in a time of anxiety and uncertainty.
Addressing, but also overcoming differences in age, race, color, ethnicity, religion or creed, this artwork beckons the viewer into a line of thought that explores similarities of the human experience, rather than differences. They are encouraged to seek the feelings of joy, pain and confusion, contemplation and deliverance these images may conjure up. And maybe do a little soul searching.
Jo-Ann Morgan started sewing during the Covid-19 pandemic. She feels quilting is a way to make difficult topics more approachable, as quilts relay a feeling of comfort and security. The images on Jo-Ann’s quilts depict topics that can be difficult to talk about, such as school shootings and deaths caused by police action. However, this body of work is also meant to memorialize those lost in these acts of violence, and to offer hope.
Jo-Ann was inspired by Mexican folk saints when she created “Nuestra Dama de la Corona” (Lady Corona), a comforting presence who brings respite and hope. Lady Corona graces many of Jo-Ann’s pieces, helping with her personal form of activism. Together, Jo-Ann and Lady Corona address unsettling issues of social justice and gun violence while, hopefully, helping others to begin the healing process.
Both exhibitions dare the viewer to not only see the artwork, but look inside of themselves, and encourage an evaluation of actions that tear us apart, and tragedies that bind us together.
Come and see the soul-searching works of Jo-Ann Morgan and James Terrell at the Crary Art Gallery on June 7th from 5p.m. to 7p.m. Artist talks will begin at 6:00pm. Throughout the exhibition, the Crary Art Gallery is open to visitors on Fridays and Saturdays from Noon to 6p.m. and Sundays from Noon to 4p.m. The show continues through July 6th. Admission is always free! The Crary Art Gallery acknowledges funding support from the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts from the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts.
The Crary Art Gallery is a non-profit private art museum located at the corner of Market Street and 6th Avenue in historic downtown Warren, PA. Its mission is to educate, entertain and extend the importance of visual arts. In addition to displaying its permanent collection, temporary exhibitions are held every other month throughout the year, beginning in February. Hours of operation are Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 6 and Sundays from 12 to 4. Admission is always free.
For more information, visit craryartgallery.org
